This is a fascinating and somewhat esoteric choice, as this film represents a unique crossroads in cinema history: the radical Italian political upheaval of the early 1970s, the eroticism of Tinto Brass, and the bizarre, unexpected casting of a rock legend.
The story follows (Vanessa Redgrave), a woman previously committed to a mental asylum after a scandalous affair with a Count. She is granted a one-month "vacation" to test her ability to reintegrate into normal society. However, the world she returns to—filled with a rejectionist family, bizarre bureaucrats, and social outcasts—is often depicted as more "insane" than the institution she left. During her journey, she meets Osiride (Franco Nero), an understanding poacher, and together they embark on a series of free-flowing, often surreal adventures that challenge societal norms. Key Highlights and Themes The Vacation -La Vacanza- - Tinto Brass 1971 -S...
Style & tone
"The Vacation" has had a lasting impact on the world of cinema, influencing a range of directors and films. Its subversive and provocative approach to storytelling has been cited as an inspiration by filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, who has often spoken about his admiration for Brass's work. This is a fascinating and somewhat esoteric choice,
In the vast, often misunderstood filmography of Tinto Brass, the 1971 film holds a peculiar place. Sandwiched between his early forays into political satire ( Nerosubianco ) and his later, more famous forays into softcore erotica ( Caligula , The Key ), La Vacanza is a film of transitional tension. It captures the director in a moment of stylistic refinement, where his love for the human form begins to collide with a distinctly post-’68 sense of emotional disillusionment. For Franco Nero’s performance: He plays against type
